God @ Work - The Gift of Prayer

Matthew 6:9-13 NIV

““This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’”

Purpose of Prayer: 

A) Build relationship with God

 Matthew 6:9 NIV

““This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,”

This is actually from the Jewish old synagogue.

Jesus also uses "Abba" as Father

Mark 14:36

It is intimate term in calling our Heavenly Father.

The purpose of prayer is not only to ask for favor but relationship with God.

At times we take it for granted. 

Jesus also "hallow be your name" that states you need to come to God in fear also. He is not your buddy even though He is your Father.

He is both near and holy.

B) Jesus priority is souls be save.

“your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Matthew 6:10 NIV

As you pray, let God's agenda be your agenda

Jesus wants us to join God in kingdom purpose adventure in redeeming lives.

C) Entertailment vs Previlage 

“Give us today our daily bread.”

Matthew 6:11 NIV

Ephesians 2:3 NIV

 “All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.”

God's provisions is a Previlage. 

We need to pray that every Previlage is God's blessing. 

James 4:2 NIV

“You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.”

God doesn't owe you.

It's truly His provision.

We come to Him to acknowledge and thank Him for His provisions. 

Matthew 4:4 NIV

“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ””

D) Potential of Prayer : Relationships Restored

Matthew 6:12 NIV

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

1 John 1:9 NIV

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

there is no sin too great for God to cover.

God wants us to restore the horizontal relationship 

Jesus uses "Us" that the Lord's Prayer which meant to be corporate prayer, community prayer

Matthew 18:18-20 NIV

““Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.””

E) Power of Prayer : Faith in Temptations and Testings

Matthew 6:13 NLT

“And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”

James 1:12 NLT

“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

As you pray , and experience Him in your prayer,  God is our:

Romans 8:32 NLT

“Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?”

God @ Work ~ Gospel at Work

Gospel at Work is a Lifestyle.

 

Daniel 6:1-4 NIV

“It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.”

A) Be Devoted ~ Daniel 6:1-8

Person |  Purpose 

B) Be Dedicated

Daniel 2:48 NIV

“Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men.”

Daniel 6:3 NIV

“Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.”

C) Be Different 

Daniel 6:4-5 NIV

“At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.””

Daniel chooses: 

We are made Holy by Jesus Christ

To be effective - change

By the redeeming grace from God.

D) Be Determined 

Daniel 6:10 NIV

“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”

Prayer | Posture

Colossians 4:2-4 NIV

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.”

Pray for open doors 

Pray for open hearts

Pray for God to touch your boss in a special way

Be Wise 

Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders

Be Discerning

Make the most of every opportunity

Be Gracious in Your Speech

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt

God @ Work ~ Relationship @ Work

What is Trust? 

If self orientation goes Up, Trust goes Up!

What is the equation for healthy good relation @ work?

Philippians 2:1-16

A - Relationship @ Work is actually Jesus Centered Relationship. 

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

If you want to build relationship on Jesus 

centered:

1) Add value to the lives of others

2) Value People Wholeheartedly 

Wrong / Barriers @ Work:

Mutual accommodation of self-need

- relationship becomes transaction , manipulate for self need.

- stepping stone as career advancement.

- Self interest

If focus on self, think of ourselves as King and others as servants. 

So sometimes at work, they response to you like dirt. 

But if we focus on other, what can I do for you, treat others as Kings, meet other needs, people will reciprocate to your needs. 

How are you treating  people at work?  

B- Model: Phil 2: 5-13

Jesus as our model.

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

Philippians 2:5-13 NIV

Jesus must be willing to sacrifice in order to save us.

He takes the role of servant to die for us. 

Put on the mindset of Christ. 

To add value in the other lives for their sake. 

The question is not can we.

Just Do It! 

It is a choice. 

C - Motivation 

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky”

Philippians 2:14-15 NIV

In everything we do, we should glorify God. Amen!

God @ Work - Life @ Work

““Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”

Exodus 20:8-11 NIV

1) We are made to work hard

" six days you shall labor and do all your work,"

2) We are not made to work non-stop

"....on it, you shall not do any work,.."

3) We are made to rest

"... , but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.. He rested on the seventh day."

Sabbath - to cease, to end, or to rest

The Sabbath - 4 concepts 

A) Rhythm

God has build the rhythm of work and rest.

God's rhythm for us: 

Time to rest and time to be still everyday.

B) Refocus

Stop and focus on God.

God is the Lord of our lives.

The Sabbath day is not a holiday but a holy day.

A day where we set apart and put God in the center of our lives.

It's an intentional shift from me to HIM

It's a MOVE from work to WORSHIP 

We all need that. To get refreshed and new strength from God.

It's God in control and I am not.

C) Renewal

The state of being made new.

In our body, soul and spirit

"If you don't come apart and rest awhile, you will come apart."

-Old proverb-

“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.”

Mark 6:31-32 NIV

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV

Each time you take time to rest in God, you will be renewed, sharpen faith with God, the supernatural touch from God to strength and renewal your soul.

D) Reliance

A rest of faith

No matter what we do, God is in control of my life.

One day out of six day, we stop and put God in control in my life.

Learn to honor Him as the source of my life. 

It's not what I can do, it's what God can do in my life.

God delights when we put our trust in Him

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

Psalm 127:1-2 NIV

““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28 NIV

God @ Work - Ethics @ Work

What is Its Foundation?

Christian Ethics is founded on the changeless character of God

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Micah 6:8 NIV

This passage states the two main Commandments.

God's REQUIREMENT of US:

1) ACT JUSTLY

2) LOVE MERCY

3) WALK HUMBLY with Your God

1) ACT JUSTLY

"To act justly..." 

Micah 6:8

The Problem of Dual Morality

The Sin of Omission and Commission

- the Sin of not doing something that is right

- the Sin of doing something that is wrong 

Benefits over Commission

Ethics over Omission

2) LOVE MERCY

".... to love mercy"

Mercy is Justice with Love: The 2nd Chance 

Matthew 5:7" blessed are those merciful "

Mercy is tempered with love.

Mercy is unexpected Kindness: The 2nd Mile

When to hand out justice when to hand out love

3) WALK HUMBLY with Your God

".... and to walk humbly with your God"

Have can we live wisely and humbly?

God is on the move in his mission 

We participate in God's mission

- Pride is the greatest Sin of life

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NIV

1 Cor 10:31

It's about God,  Not about us

We are not earning to get God on our side.

We are upworking the character of God in us.

4 Tests for Ethical Living

1) the Sleeping Test - if I do this, can I sleep at night?

2) the Newspaper Test - Would I 

3) the Mirror Test - If I do this, will I feel uncomfortable with myself when facing this mirror?

4) the Child Test - If I do this, would I mind telling my teenage child?

Can I Pray For You? - Special Speaker : Pastor Benny Ho

ALuke 10:1-9 NKJV

“After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”

The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few;

Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.

We are the answer for the prayer.

Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road.

Depend on God, it's urgency. 

Do not go from house to house

Keep sowing, stay. Perserve. Be patient.

4 Steps Strategy

1) Bless the LOST

But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 

Speak peace over them. 

We make peace with the lost. Everyone likes to be blessed.

We push off curses

Every time , we bless them we pushing the darkness over them.

Without strings attached, we intro grace into their lives.

Unmerited favor.

It will bring favor with the unsaved.

Often we curse the lost, than we bless them.

Romans 12:14-21 NIV

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

2) Fellowship with the Lost

And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give

3) Pray for the Lost

And heal the sick there, 

Pray prayers of faith 

It's God's will to heal not within the four walls in church but in the marketplace.

That they can feel the power of the living God.

1 Corinthians 1:22-24 NIV

“Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

God loves to answer the prayers of the non-believers. He more concern of them to be saved. 

Pre-believers are more open to receive of their prayers of their felt needs.

Pray 

4) Preach to the Lost

and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”

We are bringing the kingdom to them

Luke 10:17-20 NIV

“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.””

The key is the church is doing in the marketplace with the authority of God.

From Setbacks to Comebacks!

We all experience Setbacks from time to time.

Setbacks:

Shattered dreams, Financial failure, Unexpected illness, Relationship breakdown, Retrenched, Failed exam, Delinquent children, Betrayal, 

 1 character in Bible ~ Joseph

God is in control of Joseph's life

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Genesis 50:20 NIV

Truths of Setbacks in Live

1) God knows

He know what we are going through

“The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.”

Genesis 39:2 NIV

God knows what Joseph is going through

2) God is not punishing you

The devil speaks all kind of negative thoughts. 

It's normal for us to try to make sense out of the nonsense 

5 reasons why we experience setbacks

1) Self inflicted 

2) Sin

We all fallen people, in a fallen world

3) Situational

4) Spirtual warfare 

5) Sovernity of God 

3) God will not let you go through more than you can handle

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

God sets a limit and boundary to devil what he can do to Joseph 

4) God uses setbacks to bring potential out of us that we didn't even know we had.

“Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.”

Genesis 39:4 NIV

God was preparing a tasks ahead of Joseph

God is maturing us in preparing ahead of us. 

God is preparing you through setbacks in life.

God is working on our life by going through the setback 

5) God will not allow a setback into you life unless He has a purpose for it.

6) God will surprise you in your wildest imagination 

Don't put your situation Ina box. Let Him surprise you.

7) God is bigger than your setbacks

We magnify our problems, and overwhelm by our setbacks.

We have to be reminded that God is bigger, stronger and we put our hope with GOD.

"hopeless" - hope is in front 

8) God has a destiny for you

Joseph was a dreamer and God made his dreams come true.

Don't let your setbacks to fulfill your dreams and God has a destiny for you. Keep the focus on Him and He will bring that fulfillment to your life.

It is important for us, we ask from God two things: 

1) Strength 

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:31 NIV

2) Wisdom

Weak mind makes poor decision.

Let God grant you wisdom on what to do. 

Love Self 2 ~ Love Others: Honour in Family

Transformation

The heart has to be in line with what God wants us to do

Ephesians 6:1-9 NIV

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.”

““Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

Exodus 20:12 NIV

Honor - give weight, respect, value to someone

To give esteem others than yourself

1) Command with a PRIORITY

Why? 

An Elevation to Recognize 

An Esteem to Render

An Experience to Regard

- wiser, more experience than us 

Honoring our parents is not about:

- Their Performance

Honoring our parents is about:

- Their Position

- Their Personhood ( God created everyone an image of Himself. God can bring about a change in their lives, ) 

Honoring our parents is not mean it's ok to give in to them but to honor them is to honor to God. 

It's a step of obedience and faith to believe that God can do amazing things our family.

What are some ways you can honor your parents?

2) Commamd with a PROMISE

““Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.””

Ephesians 6:2-3 NIV

Our days will be lightened 

Our days will be lengthened

3) Command with a PRINCIPLE

When you respect others, you get respect

4) Command with a PURPOSE 

1 Peter 2:17

“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”

1 Peter 2:17 NIV

Learn to honor those who served us.

5) Command with a POSTURE

It takes Humanity to honor people

Love Self 2 ~ Love Others: Passion in Marriage

Marriage is the GOSPEL personified, the greatest earthly representation of the spiritual Union of Christ and His Church

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

Ephesians 5:31-33 NIV

SUBMIT TO CHRIST:

The Head and the Body

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

Ephesians 5:21 NIV

Christ is our Head

“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.”

Ephesians 5:22-24 NIV

Christ is Our Example

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body.”

Ephesians 5:25-30 NIV

"Love, in the Christian sense, does not mean on emotion. It is a state not of the feelings but of the will; that state of the will which we have naturally about ourselves, and must learn to have other people."

C.S. Lewis

"We never know whom we marry; we just think we do.... 

The primary problem is... Learning how to love and care for the stranger to whom you find yourself married."

Stanley Hauerwad

CELEBRATE THE DIFFERENCE:

Husband and Wife

““For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.””

Ephesians 5:31 NIV

Opposite attract : DESIRE

Opposite Annoy: DUTY

Opposire Affirmed DELIGHT

Agape: Servant

Philia: Friend

Storge: Sibling

Eros: Lover

SHOWCASE THE GOSPEL'S POWER: 

Christ and the Church

The first purpose in marriage -

Beyond happiness, sexual expression, the bearing of children, company's hip, mutual care and provision, or anything else - is to please God. 

The challenge, of course, is that it is utterly selfless living; rather than asking, " What will make me happy?" We are told that we must ask, " What will make God happy?" Gary Thomas

"If you understand what holiness is you come to see that real happiness is on the far side of holiness, not the near side." Timothy Keller

The Spirit Power

The Sacred Promise 

" I didn't marry you because you were perfect. I didn't even marry you because I love you. I married you because you gave me a promise. That promise made up for your faults. And the promise I gave you made up for mine.

Two imperfect people got married and it was the promise that made the marriage. And when our children were growing up, it wasn't a house that protected them; and it wasn't our love that protected them - it was that promise." Thornton Wilder

Marriage is your loudest Gospel message 

Peter Scazzero

When God says "No"

“Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

Acts 16:6-10 NIV

I : Your dream must die for His Vision to Rise.

God closes doors to open other doors.

God will open doors in His own time.

Dr. David Lim is in GraceAOG Bukit Gombart! 

II: Know God as Father

- Jesus in John: Father Son

- John 3:16 His only begotten son (Huios)

- John 5:19-20 Relationship with the Father.

Ministry is relationship with Father 

- John 20:-22 "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."

III: Claim Your Sonship! 

Reject the Orphan Spirit

- If He is Father (John 14:18) 

No leave you as orphans 

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.””

Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

He has a plan , a purposes 

This is God's kingdom, God's plan. 

Don't accept "No" as personally.

Let go or becomes bondage.

Don't let the devil take charge of you. Don't give up. 

Don't give up your vision.

God is still going to use you even now He said "No" . He has a destiny in your life and the best is still yet to come !

God uses everyone! 

A Father's Blessing

To All Dads out there, Happy Father's Day! 

To my daddy, thank you. For all you've done.

Thank you Abba Father for my daddy.

AMEN! 

Today's sermon that I felt I want to share here....

Exodus 20:12

““Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

Fathers are key in ensuring the continuation and conveyance of God's blessings in our homes, church and communities. 

Proverbs 4:1-4

“Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.”

His DIVINE Calling

A) WHO - A Father is divining called by God

- Appointed by God , ordained by God to your family

- It's transgenerational 

B) WHAT - Role model to your child

Ephesians 6:4

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Exasperate - to provoke

To bring up - to nurture 

 

" Yes I love you, and No, you can't have your way! "

Authoritarian | Disconnected | Permissive | Affirming 

Yes I love - unconditionally 

Fathers - Be Interested, Be There

His Spiritual Contribution

Remember Esau's Cry: Gensis 27:34,35

Remember Job's Concern : Job 1:5b,c

What blessing? 

A) Priestly blessing 

Numbers 6:24-26

““ ‘ “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’”

Numbers 6:24-26 NIV

God's Promise | Protection | Presence | Peace

B) Prophetic Blessing 

Gensis 49:28

“All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him.”

Affirmation of God's Work | Recongition of God's Gifts | Declaration of God's Purpose

His Godly Children 

Hebrews 13:17

“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”

A) Filial 

Ephesians 6:1-3

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.””

B) Forgive 

What you thinking is so important. What are you pondering?

Today sermon at church that I felt to share....

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Philippians 4:8 NIV

Your thinking is very important.

Is it true?

Is it noble?

Is it right ?

Is it pure?

Is it lovely?

Is it admirably?

Is it excellent?

Is it praiseworthy?

Ponder - focus what is right

It begins with your mind.

Your mind and my mind is so powerful.

    

Practice 

- what are you filling your mind?

- what are the conversations you do in your office?

- what are the people you mix with?

"The food that enters the mind must be watched as closely as the food that enters the body"

Patrick Buchanan 

Discipline of the mind

- Adjust

    - Align 

It's important that you uses the word of God to fight off the negative thoughts and voices inside you.

Discipleship of the mind 

The peace is with Jesus!

““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.””

John 16:33 NIV

Pray 

The mind is the battleground for warfare. 

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NIV

Through Christ we can overcome! 

Overcome 

Overcomer

The Wedding ~ God's wedding

“Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:9 NIV

Write this : Absolute Certainty 

Love Him and Others More! By:

Reading the bible. The more we know Him, the more we love him.

Obedience and surrender to His Lordship

Look forward and look up! 

It will be a happy and great ending! 

Rev 22:1-5 

Live today in the light of that day! 

Three things take place after we die

Transformation - to glorified body

Examination - an account to God

Celebration - wedding supper of the Lamb

Let others know about this grand wedding!

Spread the gospel of Christ known! 

Be missional wherever you are! 

 

Pain....

Pain. One word.

Got scratch by the cupboard door and result with a long line of scratched mark.

Ouch ...

Sick for 2 weeks...

Been sick since the last day of CNY 2016  and it's been two weeks! Sigh!!!

Drinking my 3rd bottle of cough mixture...

👼🏻 " I pray for God's healing powers to heal my cough, throat and flu. In Jesus mighty name I pray. Amen!"

Hope I be ok soon because I really want to bake the green tea cookies. The dough is still in the freezer. Thank God! This dough is freezable but best I bake them within a months time.

2016 ~ Resolutions or Realization?

Yeah it's 2016.

In the blink of an eye , I realized another year has passed and it's already the new year...

Happy New Year ! 

To anyone who reads this blog ~ doubt since I don't really update much nor promote it heehee...

Instead of having resolutions for the new year, it's more of a realization for me.

Realization~

~ of the day of getting our ( panda and me) place draws really near 😍

~ of the day getting our new place = $$$$$ required for Reno & Wedding 😱

~ of my new out of comfort zone job = bad & good. Because I get to push myself harder and learn new things, look at the same thing from a different perspective 🤔 & to re-look myself of the goals that I had not set and why.

~ of the procrastination and self-denial in life that I have to change else the world will change and I am left behind.

BUT, still I will Thank God for all He has provided. His plans for me in 2016 ~ no matter what comes, I pray for the courage to accept and join Him in His works. 

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9 NASB